Executive Director of Human Resources, Title IX Deputy Coordinator
marlenemp@goshen.edu
(574) 535-7503
Westlawn 103
Welcome to the Title IX Office
The Goshen College Title IX Office seeks to support the campus community in a safe and secure environment, free from sexual discrimination or harassment. Through proactive and equitable practice, the Title IX Office upholds these goals by providing education and resources to students and employees of diverse sexual, marital, and parental identities, as well as acting swiftly to investigate reported incidents and support those harmed by sexual discrimination or misconduct.
Our Title IX Statement
Goshen College is committed to the safety, well-being, and belonging of all campus community members. Further, the College is dedicated to protecting all individuals from inappropriate treatment.
Goshen College prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or violence on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, documentation status, religion, age, ability, or any other protected status. The College strives to provide an environment free from discrimination and harassment based on any characteristic protected by federal law, state or local law, and institutional policies.
How to Report
Anyone may report sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, or retaliation. Reports may be made to the Title IX Coordinator by email, phone, or by submitting an online report.
Questions about Title IX may be referred to the institution’s Title IX Coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Title IX Coordinator
In case of report or request for consultation, contact:
Patty Hartshorn, Title IX Coordinator
Wyse Hall, Room 119
574-535-7484
titleix@goshen.edu
Title IX Deputy Coordinator(s)
Title IX Deputy Coordinators work collaboratively with the Title IX Coordinator to provide support to individuals wishing to consult, report, or seek support regarding incidents of sexual misconduct, harassment, or violence. Deputy Coordinators may be contacted for consultation or assistance in submitting a report to Title IX.
Marlene Penner
Confidential Resources
Confidential resources are available if you wish to consult with someone in confidence. All confidential resources provide support without being required to report incidents to the Title IX Office. If you would like additional information regarding confidential resources, consider reaching out to one of the following supports.
Policy & Law
Goshen College’s Policies
Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Violence
The Title IX Office enforces Goshen College’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Violence. The policy describes the Title IX Office’s response to reports, supportive measures, participants’ rights, and additional relevant information.
Read Goshen College’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Violence
Sexual Misconduct Procedures
Our sexual misconduct procedures are available in our Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Violence. They describe the investigation, hearing, and appeals processes, and apply to all students, employees, and third parties.
Title IX Law
Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 states:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
The US Department of Education enforces federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of sex (including pregnancy, any related conditions, parenting, gender identity, and sexual orientation) at institutions that receive federal financial support, including institutions of higher education.
The Title IX Office upholds these federal laws prohibiting sex discrimination. More information regarding Title IX and “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance” (34 CFR. Part 106).
Pregnant & Parenting Rights
The US Department of Education enforces pregnant and parenting students’ rights under Title IX Federal Law. For additional information, see “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance” (34 CFR. Part 106).
Services and Support
Title IX Compliance
The Title IX Coordinator maintains compliance with current policy and practice related to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, most recently updated in 2020. Training related to this compliance has been provided by Grand River Solutions and was last completed in June of 2025. To receive a PDF document of this training, please email titleix@goshen.edu.
The Title IX Office also ensures compliance with the following regulations related to Title IX:
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
- The Jeanne Clery Act of 1990
- Violence Against Women Act
If there are questions regarding compliance, please contact the Title IX Office by emailing titleix@goshen.edu.
Sexual Misconduct Incident Management
The Title IX Office intakes, processes, and coordinates the resolution of incidents related to Goshen College’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Violence. The College prohibits and will not tolerate any action that violates Title IX or this Policy.
We know that filing an incident report or formal complaint can be stressful; we are here to support you through the process. If you are unsure how best to proceed, we are available to discuss your concerns. Please feel free to visit the Title IX Office or email titleix@goshen.edu with any questions.
If you would like to submit an incident report regarding sexual misconduct or retaliation, you can use the link below, or you can visit or contact the Restorative Justice and Title IX Office for assistance.
Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form
Consultation for Title IX Concerns
In an ideal world, students and employees are able to work in a safe and secure learning environment, free from sexual harassment or related incidents; however, when students or employees have experienced or witnessed an undesirable incident related to sexual misconduct, the Title IX office is here to provide guidance and assistance. If you have questions or concerns regarding potential incidents or harm, we are available to support you.
PLEASE NOTE: The Title IX Office is not a confidential reporting source. Communications regarding incidents constitute a report to the College and will be acted upon, in accordance with Title IX and the College’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, & Violence.
Please visit the Title IX Office or email titleix@goshen.edu to set up a meeting.
Pregnant and Parenting Services
Pregnant and parenting students at Goshen College have rights under Title IX Federal Law regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. Therefore, the Title IX Office seeks to assist students and employees with understanding expectations regarding Title IX policy for protecting those rights. We also provide guidance regarding campus procedures to ensure that pregnant and parenting students receive an equitable educational opportunity and are successful in their parenting and student journeys.
The Title IX Office works to serve pregnant and parenting students by connecting them to supportive measures, campus resources and community resources. Additionally, the Office reviews complaints and incidents reported regarding infringement on the protections of pregnant and parenting student rights.
Supportive measures may include but are not limited to:
- Adjustments or alterations to courses
- Extensions of course deadlines
- Leaves of absence
- Protection for students’ standing until and upon their return
For more information, visit or contact the Title IX Office.
Pregnant and Parenting Services Manual (Coming Soon)
Pregnant and Parenting Student Request Form (Coming Soon)
Title IX Misconduct Reporting Form
Athletics Attestations
Colleges and universities may be asked to release information regarding a student athlete’s identification as a wrongdoer in Title IX cases. Colleges and universities may be asked to release information regarding a student athlete’s choice to leave an institution while in the midst of a Title IX case. For more information, contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Athletics Director.
Title IX Education
The Title IX Office coordinates educational opportunities to support a safe and secure learning environment through education and professional development in the workplace. View our list of educational opportunities below.
Resources
There are a variety of resources available to student if they need help or emergency assistance. Visit the following sites for additional information.
Educational Opportunities
Educational Opportunities provide students and employees the option to dig deeper into the policies, procedures, and an understanding of how our campus community members are impacted by issues related to Title IX. Whether individually or in a group setting, these opportunities allow students and employees to explore issues related to the safety, security and movement toward justice for all of our community members.
Students
Goshen College provides a number of educational opportunities throughout the academic year to proactively educate students and prevent Title IX incidents on campus.
All students are required to complete an interactive educational experience upon admission through Vector Solutions and through a peer-taught Bystander Intervention curriculum in their first-year experience courses. All students also complete annual Title IX training in Vector Solutions.
Students, campus groups, and student organizations may request additional in-person education and presentations by emailing titleix@goshen.edu.
Student Athletes
NAIA partners with colleges and universities to ensure the safety and security of our student athletes. Per Title IX, student athletes and college athletics professionals are educated annually through a partnership between the Department of Athletics and the Title IX Office. This training is tailored for athletic professionals and student athletes.
For more information regarding NAIA, access the NAIA website.
Workforce
Employees
All employees are required to complete a Title IX training during orientation upon initial employment. The College also partners with Vector Solutions to provide an interactive educational opportunities annually.
Employees who have questions or desire more information regarding Title IX may contact the Title IX Office for educational opportunities or access to educational materials. Employees may make requests by emailing titleix@goshen.edu.
Student Employees
Student employees of the department of Residence Life and Housing are trained annually on Title IX law and institutional policy. Student employees who maintain authority over others, such as Resident Assistants, are considered “Responsible Employees” and required to report incidents that may be related to Title IX. Employee supervisors may make requests for educational opportunities by emailing titleix@goshen.edu.
Departments and Committees
At times, campus committees and departments might find it helpful to request the opportunity to receive additional review of Title IX, Q&A sessions, and scenarios exploration. Committee and department leads may request educational opportunities for a department by emailing titleix@goshen.edu.
Free Webinars*(TBD)
The Title IX Office offers several asynchronous options for reviewing topics related to Title IX. As these free webinars* are not offered in an assessment setting, no learning objectives are explicitly identified beyond providing an opportunity to explore topics and gain personal awareness.
Tea & Consent: YouTube Link
Title IX Basics – Sexual Misconduct: TBD
Title IX Basics – Pregnant and Parenting: TBD
Trainings & Certifications
Title IX Team
Patty Hartshorn, Title IX Coordinator
Title IX 2020 Regulations Overview, June 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Title IX Coordinator Training: Grand River Solutions, June 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Marlene Penner, Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Title IX 2020 Regulations Overview, June 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Title IX Coordinator Training: Grand River Solutions, June 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Tillie Yoder, Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Title IX 2020 Regulations Overview, June 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Title IX Coordinator Training: Grand River Solutions, November 2025 (link)
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Investigator Trainings
Title IX Investigator Training: Grand River Solutions, June 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Decision-Makers Trainings
Title IX Decision-Maker Training: Grand River Solutions, June 2025
Decision-Maker & Appellate Officer Training: Domestic Violence/Dating Violence/Sexual Assault/Stalking, Goshen College, October 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Appellate Decision-Makers Trainings
Decision-Maker & Appellate Officer Training: Domestic Violence/Dating Violence/Sexual Assault/Stalking, Goshen College, October 2025
PDF available upon request to titleix@goshen.edu
Advisor Trainings
[Trainings to be listed]
The Office for Civil Rights
For information on how to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, visit:
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline #: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012
TDD#: (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: www.ed.gov/ocr
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
For information on how to file a complaint involving employees, visit:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Indianapolis Office
101 West Ohio St, Ste 1900
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 1-800-669-4000
Facsimile: 317-226-7953
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5 122
Email: info@eeoc.gov
Web: www.eeoc.gov